168: Qin Manyang returns

Lin Fan walked out of the room. Someone outside the door led him away from the residence. He silently felt the refreshing aura within the Heavenly Character Number One Immortal Cave, which made him take a deep breath.

He did not know that the reason he felt refreshed was because the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here was so rich that even a Mortal like him could sense it.

Lin Fan clenched his fists, secretly vowing in his heart that he would never disappoint the Saint!

For a great figure like the Saint to be able to spare time from his busy schedule to watch the grand competition of their insignificant Outer Sect Disciples, it was enough to make them feel immensely honored.

That was the Saint! The Saint of one of the Central Continent Five Great Sects!

His status was only below the Sect Master and Hall Master. Not only did he specially organize this grand competition for them, Outer Sect Disciples, but he also personally came to watch.

It was like a Crown Prince of a nation personally going to the countryside to observe the people's conditions and do practical things; how could people not support him?

Inside the room, Xu Sanyan gently furrowed his brows. He had just condensed a demonic seed, intending to plant it deep within Lin Fan's heart, but it… failed!

There seemed to be a transparent barrier around Lin Fan, firmly blocking the demonic seed from advancing even an inch.

This was the first time he had encountered such a situation. A mere Mortal was actually able to resist his Purple Mountain Heart Planting Art!

Xu Sanyan felt more and more that Lin Fan was extraordinary.

This name truly wasn't given for nothing...

The next day, the quarterfinals officially began.

Xu Sanyan sat in the center of the high platform, watching the battles. Behind him stood Xiang Tan and Meng Zhuer. Liu Tang sat on his left, and Song Wuqiu sat on his right. The other Elders were seated in order behind them. Almost all the Elders from Red Dragon Mountain had come.

Originally, the Outer Sect Disciple grand competition would not have attracted such high attention, but because Xu Sanyan was present, they all had to be there.

Rather than saying they were watching the battles, it was more like accompanying him.

Today's grand competition was personally presided over by Xu Sanyan. The eight winners from yesterday stood in a line, heads held high on the arena. Thousands of Disciples below looked up, their eyes filled with envy.

Among the crowd watching below, there were not only Outer Sect Disciples but also many Utility Disciples, and even many Inner Sect Disciples who had already reached Foundation Establishment had come.

Liu Tang's face was rosy, and he looked at the arena below with a smile, feeling immensely satisfied. In the hundreds of years since he joined the Sect, there had never been such a grand event.

The Hall Master had always ignored worldly affairs, and Elders like Elder Wu would certainly not pay out of their own pockets to hold such a grand competition that held no meaning for them.

Ever since Xu Sanyan took office, Red Dragon Mountain had truly been getting better day by day. This was the atmosphere a Sect should have.

Xu Sanyan's gaze swept across the crowd, and he slowly spoke, "The first Outer Sect grand competition will be personally presided over by me. Today, the winner will be decided!"

He paused slightly here, and the thousands of people below craned their necks, their eyes fixed on him with anticipation.

"In addition to the previous rewards, the one who takes first place will receive an additional two thousand Spirit Stones, a volume of Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, and a Bone Transformation Pill, all personally provided by this Saint!"

As soon as Xu Sanyan's words fell, the crowd below immediately erupted in an uproar, all of them shocked by the immense rewards.

Someone silently calculated, "If one gets first place, they will receive a total of three thousand Spirit Stones, a high-grade Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique and spell, plus a Bone Transformation Pill, and they can also become a Disciple under the Saint…"

The eight people on the stage clenched their fists, all determined to do their best to defeat their opponents!

Xu Sanyan raised his hand to press down, and the noisy sounds slowly quieted. "Draw lots."

A wooden box was placed on the arena, and the eight people successively drew bamboo slips. According to the slips, they found their respective arenas.

Seeing that they were all ready, Xu Sanyan waved his hand, "Begin!"

The eight people were divided into pairs and instantly began to fight.

Xu Sanyan sat back in his chair, quietly watching. In truth, this level of combat held no appeal for him; he was merely watching for amusement.

The reason he temporarily increased the rewards was to amplify the influence of this grand event.

A competition with a prize of ten thousand yuan could never have the same influence as one with a prize of one million yuan.

Moreover, for him, the added rewards meant absolutely nothing.

The Bone Transformation Pill can refine the Physical Body and increase physical strength, but it is only useful for Cultivators below Foundation Establishment. The Alchemy Hall sells it, but the price is not low, and few Heavenly Human Realm Disciples are willing to buy it.

As for Cultivation Techniques, that's even easier to handle. He has the authority to use Cultivation Techniques and spells from the third floor and below of the Scripture Repository, without even needing to spend an extra Spirit Stone.

And those three thousand Spirit Stones, to him, were like a drop in the ocean. Just a little bit of what he casually leaks out is more than that.

Xu Sanyan can now loudly say that he has no interest in Spirit Stones, he has never touched Spirit Stones. His happiest time was when he was a bandit and obtained those two from the Ma family.

"Alas…"

Xiang Tan quietly asked, "Senior Brother, why do you sigh?"

Xu Sanyan shook his head, "I was thinking of the past."

The half-year in the bandit's lair cultivated his character of using any means to achieve his goals. Although those days were tough, looking back now, they were quite interesting.

Of course, if he were asked to go back now, he certainly wouldn't.

Let the past be the past; it's good enough as a memory.

Just then, the first winner on the field was born: Lin Fan. Just moments after the start, he defeated his opponent with lightning speed, smoothly advancing to the semifinals.

Lin Fan cupped his fists, "Thank you for the concession."

His opponent shook his head, utterly dejected, "Senior Brother Lin's skill is profound. It seems the champion of this competition will undoubtedly be Senior Brother."

Lin Fan did not reply. He turned to look at Xu Sanyan in the distance, noticing that the Saint was also watching him. He couldn't help but ponder, since the Saint thinks highly of me, then I cannot disappoint the Saint.

He had long considered the first place to be his for the taking. He was confident that with his abilities, it would be difficult for others to surpass him. The Saint must have seen this as well,

which is why he temporarily increased the rewards. This must be a form of cultivation for him!

Lin Fan had a brainstorm, successfully brainwashing himself.

Xu Sanyan's eyes were vacant, his mind wandering, his thoughts long since drifted elsewhere.

Xiang Tan, being very considerate, took a step forward. Her slender hands, like green onions, rested on his shoulders, silently massaging him to relax.

Suddenly, Xu Sanyan felt someone watching him. His gaze refocused, and he looked to the side of the high platform, seeing a figure watching him.

Xu Sanyan grinned, waving his hand, "Elder Qin, long time no see."

Qin Manyang was covered in dust from travel, and her scattered hair draped over her forehead, covering the corners of her eyes, yet still failing to conceal her surprise.

Although she had long suspected, seeing it with her own eyes now still brought incredulity.

The Saint, Xu Sanyan, truly was the Xu Sanyan she knew!

The Xu Sanyan who had just arrived in Zhong Province from a remote place, knew nothing, and was easily tricked by her!

"You…" Qin Manyang was momentarily speechless, unsure how to express herself.

Liu Tang quickly spoke, "Elder Qin, you're back so soon? Old man, let me introduce you, this is the Saint…"

Xu Sanyan interrupted, "Heh heh, Elder Liu, there's no need for an introduction. We know each other."